Work-From-Home Culture, Employee Motivation, and Productivity: An Empirical Study in the Indian Context

Abstract

This study aims to investigate if the culture of work-from-home (WFH) positively influences employees' motivation and productivity, and if motivation mediates the association between WFH culture and productivity. A survey of 120 employees in fully remote, hybrid, and mostly office-based work arrangements was conducted. WFH culture was operationalized by eight constructs: flexibility, autonomy, communication, manager support, technology support, work-life boundaries, isolation, and distractions. Reliability analysis of the constructs showed satisfactory values (WFH culture α = 1.000; Motivation α = 1.000; Productivity α = 1.000). Descriptive analysis of the data revealed moderate values of the main constructs. Correlation analysis revealed that WFH culture positively correlated with motivation and productivity. Multiple regression analysis revealed that WFH culture is a significant predictor of motivation. When motivation was included in the model, WFH culture and motivation emerged as significant predictors of productivity, indicating partial mediation. One-way ANOVA analysis to compare the productivity of employees in fully remote, hybrid, and mostly office-based work arrangements revealed no significant differences. Implications of the study for developing remote work systems and management practices to foster positive WFH culture are discussed.